The most-photographed roadside symbol in Plains, the “Smiling Peanut” was made for a rally in Evanston, Indiana in 1976 by James Kiely, Doyle Kifer, and Loretta Townsend. After spending years beside the depot, it was later moved to the Davis E-Z Mart on Highway 45.
Plains Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Plains Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Plains Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Plains Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Eleanor Rosalynn Smith was born in Plains on 18 August 1927 and grew up in this simple Folk Victorian house. Her parents were Edgar (1896-1940) and Allie Murray Smith (1905-2000). Edgar died from leukemia in 1940 and Allie raised their four children on her own, working numerous jobs around Plains.
After graduation from Plains High School in 1944 and Georgia Southwestern College in 1946, Rosalynn married Jimmy Carter on 7 July 1946. Rosalynn was delivered by Lillian Carter, Jimmy’s mother, and was a close friend of his sister Ruth. Becoming a political wife in the 1960s, she went on to serve as First Lady of Georgia from 1971-1975 and First Lady of the United States from 1977-1981.
Rodney David Porter writes: I was Miss Allie’s pastor and had the high honor of doing her funeral. Such a sweet and endearing woman of God. Loved visiting in this home.
Plains Historic District, National Register of Historic Places
Owned by Jimmy Carter’s father Earl, from 1928 until 1941, the former president spent his formative years here, from the age of four until he left Sumter County for college. Though located in what is considered Plains today, this was originally a separate rural village known as Archery. The Jimmy Carter Boyhood Farm is maintained today as part of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. I attended the dedication of the site a few years ago and it was one of the coldest, wettest November days I can recall. Thousands turned out to hear President Carter reminisce about his youth here. It was a wonderful day, despite the weather.
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
This was the commissary for Earl Carter’s farming operations from 1928-1941.
Jimmy Carter National Historic Site
This depot is perhaps the most famous in Georgia, for its role in the 1976 presidential campaign of Jimmy Carter.
It’s open today for free self-guided tours, featuring memorabilia of the campaign.
Various sources give different dates for the construction of the depot, but the National Register nomination form says 1898, so that’s the date I’ll use until proven otherwise.
Across the street from the depot is this gravesite of J-Who, the Depot Dog. He was a stray who showed up around the depot while the campaign was in full swing and was essentially adopted by the community.
Jimmy Carter National Historic Park + National Register of Historic Places
Vanishing Georgia: Photographs by Brian Brown 